Marshall Amplification AVT50 Handbook

1

ENGLISH

From Jim Marshall

I would like to thank you personally for selecting one of our

Valvestate 2000 AVT amplifiers.

After its initial launch, the original Marshall Valvestate technology
received worldwide acclaim and set a new standard in affordable
quality amplification. However, my team of designers are constantly
looking for methods to make our amplifiers sound even better. As
they are all guitar players themselves this process has become a
passion within the design department.

As the name Advanced Valvestate Technology suggests, your
new amplifier benefits from their research and utilises the latest
circuitry, which is absolutely unique to Marshall. By emulating the
feel and response of an all-valve amplifier even more closely, the
new AVT range perform brilliantly and represent another major step
forward in guitar sound technology.

Since I first began making amplifiers in 1962, one of the key factors
in our success has been reliability. Therefore, many hours of
exhaustive testing have been carried out in the development of AVT
to ensure that this remains so.

I suggest that you read this manual thoroughly before operating
your new amplifier and keep it in a safe place for future reference.
This will help you to derive maximum enjoyment from our Advanced

Valvestate Technology.

Wishing you every success.

Yours Sincerely,

ENGLISH

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Introduction

Welcome

to the third and most recent generation of Marshall Valvestate guitar amplifiers -

Valvestate 2000.

The History

We first started making the critically acclaimed Valvestate amplifiers in the early 90s and then
updated the original range to the best-selling VS II line in 1996. Our original intention with
Valvestate was simple: to capture the special sound and feel of a Marshall valve amplifier by using
solid state technology. By so doing we knew we could make our unique and highly desirable tones
more affordable and thus more available to many more guitar players. The first two generations of
Valvestate both achieved these goals and have become firm favourites with players and critics alike,
the world over. Now, with the advent of the 21st Century, we have once again redefined what
guitarists can expect from affordable backline amplification. Utilising all the knowledge and
experience gained over the past 10 years, we proudly bring you - Valvestate 2000.

Addictive Tone

In this latest generation, not only will you find more, guitarist-friendly features, but more (much
more!) valve-like tone and feel. As with all our amplifiers, we started designing with a clean slate ­relying totally on our experience, skill and tonal history. As all our designers are guitarists in addition
to being exceptional engineers, the aforementioned feel and tone were an absolute priority from the
beginning. In short our goal was to make these amps so enjoyable to play, they are addictive!

Pre-amp Valve Power

In each of the Valvestate 2000 range, all the preamp stages are equipped with an ECC83
(a.k.a. 12AX7) Dual Triode valve. Drawing on our vast experience in this field, we have gone to
great lengths to ensure that this precious device delivers maximum sonic benefit at all settings and
volume levels. As a result, even the VS2000 clean sounds ring with the bell like harmonics that only
a valve pre-amp can deliver. On the Overdrive channels the ECC83's dual triodes are saturated to
their limit, providing the dynamics and feel worthy of a place in the Marshall hall of fame. The same
sort of toneful care and attention was focused on the all-important power stage of each amp too.
Once again we wanted to ensure that they delivered the warm, musical feel and 3-dimensional
sounds that have made our all-valve power-amps world-renowned. We are so proud of the end
results of our labour that we felt we had to coin a new name for the technology used. So, we
christened it AVT - Advanced Valvestate Technology.

Fire-breathing Babies

This manual covers the AVT20 and AVT50 combos plus the AVT50H head. Even though these
are the ‘babies’ of the range, they go far beyond the realms of traditional, lower powered amps.
These are all real, fire-breathing Marshall amps in their own right, and, as such, are bestowed with
all the technology, tone, and feel of their higher-powered brethren. As is the case with the entire
Valvestate 2000 Range, the loudspeakers used are all custom built by Celestion and have been
specifically designed to fully complement and augment the myriad of sounds generated by our
Advanced Valvestate Technology.

ENGLISH

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WARNING! - Important safety instructions

WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED!

A PLEASE

read this instruction manual carefully before switching on.

B ALWAYS

use the supplied mains lead, if a replacement is required please contact your

authorised Marshall Dealer.

C NEVER

attempt to by-pass the fuses or fit ones of the incorrect value.

D DO NOT

attempt to remove the amplifier chassis, there are no user serviceable parts.

E Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel including replacement of fuses and

valves.

Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as
when the power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally or has been dropped.

F NEVER

use an amplifier in damp or wet conditions.

No objects filled with liquids should be

placed on the apparatus. When cleaning, only use a dry cloth.

G ALWAYS

unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or if unused for long periods of time.

H PROTECT

the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience

receptacles and at the point where they exit from the apparatus.

I DO NOT

switch the amplifier on without the loudspeaker connected.

J ENSURE

that any extension cabinets used are of the correct impedance.

➲

EUROPE ONLY - Note:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the

requirements of the EMC directive (Environments E1, E2 and E3) and Low Voltage directive in the E.U.

➲

EUROPE ONLY - Note:

The Peak Inrush current for the AVT20 is 3 amps and the AVT50 is 10 amps.

➲

CAUTION:

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for

compliance may void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

➲

NOTE:

It is recommended that all audio cables, with the exception of the speaker lead, used to
connect to the AVT20, AVT50 and AVT50H are of a high quality screened type. These should not
exceed 10 metres in length.

Always use a non-screened Marshall approved speaker lead when

connecting an extension cabinet to these units.

➲

WARNING:

Do not obstruct ventilation grilles and always ensure free movement of air around the

amplifier!

USA ONLY - DO NOT

defeat the purpose of the polarised or grounding type plug. A polarised

plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a
third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. When the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND HEED ALL WARNINGS

KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS !

!